Supporting Canadians through their gender affirmation journey

Sun Life launches new extended health coverage to help people transitioning

TORONTO, March 28, 2019 /CNW/ - Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life") is proud to offer gender affirmation coverage through Extended Health Care plans. Everyone experiences gender in their own unique way, for some this may mean being born a male but identifying as a female – or vice versa. Sun Life's extended coverage will help people transitioning embody their authentic selves.

Sun Life Financial Inc. (CNW Group/Sun Life Financial Inc.)

"We know there can be a significant impact on an individual's mental, emotional and physical well-being when they do not feel connected to their gender," said Marie-Chantal Côté, Vice-President, Market Development, Sun Life Financial Canada. "Gender affirmation procedures and hormone therapies can help a person feel empowered to align their body with their gender expression."

While everyone's experience with gender affirmation is different, Sun Life's offering will provide financial support to plan members by reimbursing expenses covered by their workplace plan. Employers can offer core or enhanced coverage which includes:

Core Coverage: coverage for basic surgical procedures not covered under the individual's provincial or territorial health care plan. For example, the reduction of the Adam's apple and/or voice surgery.
Enhanced Coverage: additional coverage for surgical procedures to align feminine or masculine features to the transitioned gender. Such as, facial bone reduction and/or cheek augmentation.

In conjunction with the person's provincial or territorial health care plan, Sun Life's core coverage will reimburse some procedures not covered by their place of residence. While most medicare plans cover the basic surgical procedures for transitioning, many do not cover surgeries that feminize or masculinize an individual's features.

"When it comes to health and wellness, we understand that no two needs are the same, which is why we continue to evolve and diversify our health benefit plans, helping to meet the needs of all Canadians," said Dave Jones, Senior Vice-President, Group Benefits, Sun Life Financial Canada. "Having additional support through gender affirmation can make a meaningful difference and help plan members live happier and healthier lives."

Gender affirmation coverage will be available to employers who wish to add it to their existing group Extended Health Care plans, beginning April 2019.

Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies.

About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2018, Sun Life Financial had total assets under management of $951 billion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.